McKenzie looking to fullbacks to take Bush’s role

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie admits that he hasn’t found a replacement for Michael Bush, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound back who handled short-distance duties and filled in for the injured Darren McFadden last year. (And had 1,395 yards rushing and receiving).

“We don’t have that big back, but we’ve got a couple of backs that are playing fullback for us that can be that guy,” McKenzie said. “We feel good about the versatility of Marcel (Reece), and all our fullbacks have the ability to run it. (Owen) Schmitt can run it, short yardage. We got some guys that can, I’m kind of anxious to see them in preseason.

“But like I said, we’ll continue to beat down the doors and see if we can bring guys in. We won’t stop that until it’s time to play our Monday night game in September. We’ll continue. Nothing is on the horizon, though.”

Other Thursday notes, as the Raiders closed their three-day mini-camp:

McKenzie said long-term contract talks with franchised safety Tyvon Branch are going OK. “It’s been good communication,” he said. “Nobody’s slamming the phone on each other so that’s positive.”

The Raiders installed 90 percent of the offense during organized team workouts and this week’s minicamp.
“There has to be a sense of urgency now,” new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said. “When the new (CBA) got done, with less practice time, less practices, yet the expectations are the same, to win. The players need to feel in May and June that we’ve got to learn this now, we can’t wait until training camp. I hope they felt my urgency in my voice, and the way I coached on the field.”

McKenzie liked the tempo of the minicamp and he’s liked what he has seen of his new coach, Dennis Allen. (You would hate to hear him say he hates the hire after five months.)
“From a standpoint of big picture, he gets it,” McKenzie said. “He’s always a step ahead, which is good. I like the way the players are responding and his assistant coaches. He’s all over that defense, which I like. He’s talking to the offense, too. He’s acting like a real head coach. You can’t tell he hasn’t been a head coach before.”